Louis Riel Gala promises a fun evening for all

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Tickets are going fast for the Louis Riel Gala, which will be held at the Sands Hotel in Edmonton on Nov. 14. The evening will feature the second annual Joey Gladue and Delia Gray Scholarship awards, a performance by the Creeland Dancers from Duck Lake, Sask., guest speakers, a Metis fashion show, a live and silent auction, all held together by master of ceremonies Don Burnstick.

John Coonie, auction chairman of the Louis Riel Gala said that they will be auctioning off priceless items, as well as dinner packages, hotel packages, resort and romantic getaway packages, and sports items.

"It is going to be a fun event. There is something there to suit everyone's taste and budget," he said.

The Edmonton Metis Cultural Dance Society is hosting the gala. The evening kicks off a three-day extravaganza, which will feature a talent show on Nov. 15 and dance, jigging and fiddle competitions the following day.

The society celebrated its 15th anniversary on Aug. 30. They used to hold their dance classes in various locations throughout the city before acquiring a dance studio in 1999.

Lyle Donald, director of the Edmonton Metis Cultural Dance Society said fundraisers help the group to afford what they need.

"With the Louis Riel Gala event coming up we can afford to buy the dancing shoes, the costumes and that kind of stuff."

Donald and his mother both teach at the studio.

"Many stories about the dance have been taught to me by the Elders in our community. For example, what the duck dance means and what the reel of eight is, and we teach that to the younger kids. We explain how the dances are supposed to be done properly and it is good to get the young people out of their shyness and to build their self-esteem and to be proud of what they are and who they are," he said."

"I have my children, grandchildren, my nieces and my nephews and their kids who are starting to dance also. It is something that we are proud of. We made it. We've kept the group together and we want to keep the dance alive," he said.